Tennant Discusses Election Law With Voting Officials From Republic Of Georgia

3/8/2010

Charleston, W.Va – Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant helped educate election officials and young professionals from the Republic of Georgia on American election law today at the State Capitol.

The seven representatives were from the Central Election Committee and the non-partisan Young

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant
discusses American election law with representatives
from the Republic of Georgia Monday at the Capitol.

Lawyers Association of Georgia.

Through an interpreter, the group was able to discuss the differences between Georgian election law and American election law. The representatives from Georgia asked Tennant about campaign finance and poll workers, while Tennant was interested in how Georgian soldiers fighting alongside Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan were able to cast their ballots.

Until 1991, the Republic of Georgia was one of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The nation has been plagued with military strife, economic turmoil, and civil unrest in recent years. In 2008, Georgia engaged in a military campaign against Russia and separatist groups in South Ossetia. The country is a member of the United Nations and in 2008 was promised an invitation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

One of the representatives asked Tennant about campaign material, and was very interested when Tennant explained that the material must clearly say who paid for it.

“Our people have to be able to trust in the process of electing our leaders,” Tennant said. “Our law requires candidates be open about what they do. During the financial reporting period, candidates have to say how much money they received and where they received it. There is a transparency in our elections.”

Tennant also explained the duties of county clerks, poll workers, and the State Elections Commission.

Five of the seven representatives were female. They also asked Tennant how much of a minority females are in politics. Tennant explained that on the seven-member Board of Public works, she is the only woman. However, she said that the last two Secretaries of State have been women.

“I don’t think of myself as a minority,” Tennant said.

The Georgian representatives also met with Governor Joe Manchin during their visit to the West Virginia State Capitol.

Click here to view a photo gallery of the meeting with Secretary Tennant.